Theatre

Abigail’s Party was a smash hit in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee year and was turned into a television play, directed by Mike Leigh and starring Alison Steadman, who would go on to star in Gavin & Stacey.

Now, 35 years later, the classic play, in which a couple invite their neighbours over for a chaotic dinner party, has been revived for a run at Wyndham’s Theatre in London’s West End, starring Waterloo Road’s Jill Halfpenny.

Drought

Dry another day: Notice in Bridport, Dorset (Image: Getty)

We’ve had the driest 18 months for almost 100 years with a hosepipe ban in place since early April.

But spare a thought for those who endured the long summer of 1976, officially the driest since 1772.

Day after day of temperatures in the 90s led to a severe drought.

Denis Howell was appointed Minister For Drought, but days later the heavens opened and was he was dubbed Minister of Floods.

The Falklands

Leader: Sub HMS Dreadnought (Image: Mirrorpix)

An aggressive Argentine government sabre rattling over the ­Falklands and Britain responding with a show of force? The situation in 2012 is a strong echo of 1977.

In the 70s, relations were strained due to posturing over the islands’ sovereignty.

Navy papers show how they helped avert an invasion in 1977 when 50 Argentine “scientists” landed there, prompting fears of an invasion.

PM James Callaghan ordered a mini task force, led by nuclear-powered submarine HMS Dreadnought, to protect the area.

Now, in 2012, Argentine president ­Cristina Kirchner accused the UK of acting like a “colonial power” and Britain responded by sending a warship to patrol the islands.

Racism in football

Star: Viv Anderson with the England team in 1978 (Image: Monte Fresco)

The threat of racist abuse directed at black players at this summer’s Euro 2012 is shocking for British fans.

But, back in the 1970s, racist chanting was commonplace in British football grounds as the number of black players started to increase.

Fans even abused players on their own team and routinely threw bananas at black players.

It wasn’t until 1978 that Viv Anderson became the first black player to be capped by England.